Combination boot and shoe tree



June 7, 1932. wyo. WEISKOTTEN COMBINATION BOOT AND SHOE TREE Filed Jan. 12, 1951 INVENTOR. W/LL/AMQ WHJKOTTEA Patented June 7, 1932 WILLIAM 0. WEISKOTTEN, OF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA COMBINATION BOOT. AND .SHOEQ-V'IREE. i

Application. filed. January.- 12, 1931. Serial No. 508,991.

' My invention relates to boot trees. More particularly my invention relatesto. a C0111. bination boot and shoe tree attachment, whereby a shoe tree may be converted into a L boot. tree and vice versa. p

This invention therefore does not comprise a. shoe tree proper, separately considered, which in combination with my attachment forms a boot tree, for'such devices are now readily procurable in the market, but my attachment per se does basically set forth a novel means for accomplishing a conversion of certain types of shoe trees into a boot tree, and upon the latter combination is the foundation upon which my invention is constructed, and basically set forth in the appended claims concluding this specification.

An important object of my invention is to provide an attachment whichmay be detach- 39 ably applied to a shoe tree for the purpose of converting it into a boot tree, which will preserve the shape of the foot portion of the boot and, including means engageablewith the boot straps, to whichmanual tractionb'eing applied, the leg of the boot will be straightened, thus preventing wrinkling at the ankle portion thereof and sagging of the boot in general.

In the absence of an adjunct such as a satisfactory boot tree the boot soon becomes out of shape,undressy, and uncomfortable; especially is this true in the better class of boots which are made of a thinner and more expen sive .grade of leathers. I

My combination bootttree exquisitely preserves the original shape of the boot. Furthermore, it obviates the formation of uncomfortable ankle wrinkles, insures perfect ven-' tilation and permits the storing-cf small articles within the leg while travelling, yet the entire combination is constructed of very light material, is 1 inexpensive to manufacture, durable, and easy to apply.

In addition to the foregoing objects there are'to be considered other improved features which comprise the mechanical construction of the attachment. i

Upon detaching the boot tree attachment,

the shoe treemay be used as a separate unit for ashoe.

I Theshoe tree unit, as well asthe boot tree attachment unit, are each separably adjustable to ladies or mens boots'and shoes. f'

The union of theshoe tree and, attachment provides a novel combination, consisting of a simple adjustable shoe tree and an djust. able attachment which is'applied to theshoe tree after the latter is adjusted to the size of the foot of the boot,

In addition to the foregoing areto be also 60 included the novel arrangement. of parts which united'ly compose the, structure and. which will bedealtwith at length in the de-f scription following andfinally claimed. 4

Referring to the drawing, f Fig. -1 is a perspective viewof my inven tion applied to a boot., j i

Fig. 2 is a perspective fview of my inven tion shown apart from the boot showing the different parts of the assembly in. another position,

Fig. 3 is a Fig. 2. J

It'is well known among those,who-ride, that riding boots become damp, largely. due to perspiration whereby they'easily wrinkle, lose their shape, a'nd'deteriorate. f A prime prerequisite to, maintaining: a dressy appearance of .ridingboots aslwellas other boots, is inthepr'ovi'sionof a, satisfactory adjustable boot tree. v

To preserve the life of thebootthe tree should afford ventilation, thus allowing the dampness to uniformly disappear. Too, the tree should belight and durable, and also ad justable and interchangeable; for different sizes of boots, It should ,be easily. applied, and owing to thefact that in the peculiar. design of some boots, thepullstrapsare fre; quently placed at ',difl"erent heights in; the boots there should be incorporated in the tree; a differential or equalizer lever whereby: the application of'manual traction, thereto will exertan automatic equalizingfactionjon the pull straps of the bootuppr stretching itiso that no visible wrinkles are; apparent.

Ofthe shoe tree junit' comprising'the boot' tree satisfactory merchanta ble articles- 1 are, now to behad andfat nominal cost which meet withthe most fastidi'ous taste. They view taken ,on, line ,3, 3 of are adjustable as to size and afford proper ventilation as well as maintain a dressy appearance of the foot portion of the boot.

They also require no modification for converting them into a boot tree, since the means which provide for their adj ustability may be used for ready application of my improved.

proved invention is to. be performed in conupright wire standard 12, together wlth the *integrally formed loop 14 lie in the same junction with a shoe tree of wellestablished popularity will now be set forth. The invention comprises ashoe tree 1 t which I detachably afiix my improved attach- V ment 2. Although as stated supra, I do not broadly claim the shoe tree element, separately considered, yet its parts will be briefly alluded to, since they combine with the attachment to produce the novel combination sought. c I

The shoe tree element includes a shell shape toe structure 3 adjustab-ly'united to a U- shaped heel structure 4 by a spring metal wire frame 5. The toe structure is pivotally connected to the frame 5 by a metal band 6. The free. ends of said wire frame are outwardly turned and being of springy material are adapted to be manually compressed toward'each other so that the over-allwidth of the out-turned ends of the wires may enter between the flanges 7 and 8 forming the U and upon manual releasement be fed or directed into apertures 9 complementally arranged ineach flange of the U structure.

The heel structure is provided with an outturned tongue 10 and a'heel bearing element 11. The frame 5, together wvith the heel structure 4: adj ustably comprise a unit which may be made to accommodate different sizes of shoes, slippers, and foot portions of boots.

' For the purpose of converting the shoe tree into a boot tree, I provide a, standard or upright member 12, the sides 13 of which consistof a bent metal rod having the topmost portion preferably looped to form a T 14. Thefree ends of the T base forming the standard, arej slightly inwardly swayed though substantially parallel, and terminate in inwardly directed portions bent at right angles, the extremities 18a of which are adapt ed to spring outwardly whereby they may be manually inserted in the apertures 9, a pearing in the U flanges of the horizontal portion of the shoe tree.

The apertures usually selected are those which are. adjacent to the apertures which are engaged by the frame 5. Such is the arrangement also shown in the drawing. By so doing a toggle joint is arranged as shown in Fig.2, and when manualpressure is applied to the top of the standard, or to the T portion, the joint may be made to assume a position as'shown in Fig. 1 whereby the foot portion of the boot is caused to expand and assume a dressy appearance, simulating the the standard a means for hanging upthe boot while not in use, and it also furnishes a hand grip with which to create manual traction on the equalizer lever 14 as shown by the gripping hand 25 in Fig. 1.

The inturned free extremities 13a of the plane. Upon the upright portion of the standard 12 near the lower extremity thereof is slidably mounted a clip 15 which .unites the parallel sides of the upright member, and

they may be detached from the shoe tree. In

Fig.2 the clip 15 is shown in dotted lines in such an inoperative position, thuspermit ting the lower extremities of theupright to automatically spring outwardly from engagement with the apertures. This. outwardly sprung relation is also dottedly shown in Fig.

2. The clip 15 comprises a flat piece of metal having inturned flanges 16 which form an open slot wherein the two springy uprights are housed and clasped and the sides of the loop are tapered so as to frictionally contact with the upright elements throughout the length of the clip. This insures a perfect bight when the clip is manually thrust downwardly .over the upright when the right angled extremities are engaged within. the apertures of the shoe tree, thus holding the device in contact with the shoe tree.

Subjacent to the T handle 14: of the standard is mounted an equalizer lever 141a. Upon the extreme ends of thelever are mounted apair of freely movable pendant hooks 17, said hooks being designed to engage the pull straps 23 of the boot. The mounting ofthe lever upon the uprights consists of a friction clip 18 of somewhat similar construction and utility as that of the clip 15. In addition, to prevent spreading of the upright. rods the clip 18 is designed to aid in supporting the equalizer lever 14a in the manner now taught.

There is an aperture 1 9 in the clip 18 through which is extended a threaded eyebolt 20 and on said bolt is mounted a grip washer 21 on which is bearingly applied the wing nut 22. The wing nut and grip washer insure firm fixation of theequalizerlever and pendant hooks after proper tension has ill 13 862; see

the equalizer lever moves? laterally" through the: eye of the eye-bolt, the. eye-being large "enough to allow-the equalizer lever to loosely pivot or :gyrate therewithin. I. Such construction :makes'possible equalization of the tensionappliedm both pull straps Which,'1=as -a-rule, are placed at different'heights inrthe boot; The equalizing lever 14a voan' alsogbe adjusted inaninclined positionso asto p'ull more strongly upon one boot strapthan upon the other and then be clamped: inssuch-position by screwing down the winged nut-J22.

This feature is valuable'vvhen it is desired to remove Wrinkles occurringv atone side ofithe boot only.

This equalizing action of the pressure ex- .erte'd'on the pull straps is in a sense manually automatic; and assuch obviatesthe necessity 'ofany'otherimeans of changing the lengths of thevsupporting pendant hooks.

Fig; 3. a

-The operation of the device-Will noW be set forth:

The toe'structure3 and'heel structures; Will first have been adjusted-in accordance with the size- 0f the'boot in which it is to be inserted. The-attachment may then be appliedtothe shoe tree as follows r The clip 15'Will be made to assume an inoperative position as shown in Fig. '2, ;at which time the free extremities 13a of the attachment will swing" outwardly, as dottedly indicated-in the same 'figure.

"Theinturned ends 13w of'the upright 12 are then-insertedinto the apertures 9 rearwardly of those engaged by the frame 5 connecting With the toestructure 3. v The assembled device isthen fed into the boot. :As soon asthe toe structure 3 i s-"fe'd' into the "toe portion of the boot Qiandthe heel structure 11 is inclined-against the heel portion of the boot, .manual pressure is- 'exe erted on the handle straightening out the toggle link. The equalizer lever "having previously been loosened, the'pendant books 17 'a're'enga'ged with the boot straps The equalizerlever 14a is then manually grasped in a 'manner'taught by the illustration ofthe hand 25- shown in Fig. l an'd'manualtraction applied: to the equalizer lever 14a.

Thelever 114a automatically assumes the proper inclination 'toadapt it ":tothe'boot straps23=assoon=as tract-ion is exerted to pull thereupon, and after suflicient tension is ap- 'plied 'to the boot strapsto-straighten out the wrinkles in .theboot thevving nut 22 isaa'djusted to bear onathefriction or gripwasher 21zto sustain the pressure thus exerted on the pull-straps. *The entirecom'bination is then 1 ready to be: carried by the handle forwhat- 7 ever purpose: sought.

Claims; l i i l. boot tree "attachment comprising 'a Wirelooped standard the free ends of 1 which are inturnedtand adapted to be engaged With ashoe tree whereby to "convert. it into a boot tree; and a vertically adjustable friction 'zclip 'ca rried'by' said standard to releasably hold said iinturned ends innengagement with said shoe-tree.

2. A boot tree attachment comprisinga 'Wirelooped standard the free'ends Of-Which are inturnedandadapted to be engaged with tree, a" vertically adjustable friction clip carried by said standard to' releasably 'holdisaid ashoe'tree vvherebyto convert it into 'a boot 585 inturned ends in engagement with said shoe tree, a friction slip, an: eye bolt carried by said slip, and a swingle=tree laterally adjustable in thereye ofsaideye'bolt.

. 8. As a: new'article of manufacture a boot tree-attachment, comprising a standardconsisting of a pair of oppositely disposed sides bent from a single strand of'wire, friction 5 Y slip keepers manually movable lengthwise of and uniting said strands, an equalizer. arm

'sWiVelly mounted and freely laterally-adjustable to one of saidkeepersyand boot strap engaging members suspended from the ex-- tremities-of-said: equalizer arm.

.4. Aboot-tree -attachment comprising a standard consisting of 'a i pair ofi oppositely disposed uprights formed from a strand of Wire, friction slip keepers manually movable lengthwise of and uniting :said strands, a-n equalizer arm-laterally and svvivelly mounted upon: one ofsaid keepers,1b'oot strap'enga'gin'g members freely suspendedifrom the extremities vof said farm, and manually "regulative means "for "adjusting "said equalizer arm whereby from manual traction applied theretoequal tension is exerted on-said boot straps.

The combination With ashoetree, of' a boot tree attachment therefor, detachable means for uniting said attachment to said shoe tree wherebyiit may'be converted into a boot tree, a tiltableequalizingdevice "ineluding means "engageable with the ull straps of a boot rgyrally mounted t'o said attachmentwhereby from manualrtracti-on applied tosaid device, the pressure exerted on saidt'pull straps is equalized, and means "to carriedby said equalizer arm at' each end thereof, said members being rotative and adapted to enter the open eyes of a boot flap, and frictional means manually adjustable to withstand traction applied to said arm by the equalized pull of said members on said boot strap fastened to said attachment.

7. A boot tree attachment comprising a wirelooped standard the free ends'of which areinturned and adapted to be engaged with a shoe tree whereby to convert it'into a boot tree, a vertically adjustable friction slip carried by said standard, an eye'bolt carried by said slip, and an equalizerlever pivotally grippable by said eye b'olt,iand bootstrap engaging members swingably mounted to said lever. I I

8. An attachment for shoe trees for converting them into boot trees, comprising an elongated open wirelooped structure, the ends of the strands of which are inturned and adapted for engagement with a shoe tree, a

friction slip adapted to maintain engagement of said ends with shoe tree, and manually adjustable for disengaging the same, the

strands of said loop being swayed inwardly,

said slip being provided'with tapered slots member swivelly mounted to said strand, and

boot strap engaging members carried by said equalizing member.

- 9. In a boottree, an attachment comp-ris- .inga standard consisting of a strand of looped wire, .the ends of the strando-f said wire loop being inturned and adapted to engage apertures of a shoe tree, a friction slip keeper manuallyadjustable for attaching and detaching said attachment to said shoe tree,

said loop being elongated and having inwardly swayed sides, said loop having formed as a part thereof a handle portion, an equalizer bar swivelly mounted to said loop subjacent to said handle portion, a pair of pivotal pendantyhooks connected to said-bar and adapted to engage the boot straps of a boot, said handle and said bar being adapted to be manually gripped and equal tension thus appliedto saidv boot straps, and clamping means for maintaining the tension thus applied. I

- 10. The combination with'a shoe tree having oppositely disposed seats therein; of a frame comprising; two uprights having each at its lower end means to detachably engage said seats, a clip movable along said uprights to and from a position wherein it looks the lower extremities of said uprights in en:

gagement with said seats, and boot strap engagingmeans frictionally mounted upon said uprights. I

11. The combination with a shoe tree proper, of' an upright frame, the lower end of which is adapted to be detachably connected with said shoe tree; of a boot strap engaging device mounted upon an upper portion of said frame, said device [comprising clamping.

means frictionally slidable along said frame, and a transversely extending arm tiltingly supported between its ends by said clamping means, the clamping means of said device being adapted both to secure said arm in an equalized position and to clamp said device to said frame in an adjusted position.

12.. In a device of the character described,

the combination with'a boot tree frame; of a boot strap tensioning device comprising an equalizing arm the ends of which are connectable detachably with the straps of the boot, an eye bolt, said arm extendin'gloo'sely through the eye of'said eye bolt, a'friction slip adjustable upon said frameupon which said eyebolt is mounted, said eye bolt being provided with a nut to retract the same to bind said arm against said slip .in an equalized position with the boot straps.

13. The combination with a shoe tree, of an attachment whereby said shoe tree may be converted into aiboot tree, said attachment comprising an elongated wire loop having bowed ends adapted to be detachably applied to a shoe tree, the upper portion of said loop 7 being formed into a T handle grip, the elongated portion of said loop uniting said handle grip with said bowed ends being inwardly I swayed, a friction clipmounted upon the bowed ends of said loop whereby the attachment is made disconnectable from said shoe tree, a friction slip keeper juxtaposed to said handle portion, a differential equalizing member swingably mounted to said keeper,

and pull strap engaging-members carried by I engagement withsaid uprights, said'uprights 7 i being formed into a handle grip, a friction slip mounted on said uprights in grasping po sition and subjacent to said handle, an eye bolt pivoted to saidslip, an equalizer lever loosely mounted in the eye of said eye bolt slightly oscillati ve and laterally adjustable in said eye, bootstrap engaging members carried at the extremities of saidleverandadapted to be manually engaged with the boot straps of a boot, said lever and said handle being adapted to be manually grasped and equalized tension placed on said boot straps by manual traction applied to said lever, and means for gripping said lever in a position to maintain the eqalized tension thus applied.

15. A boot tree attachment comprising a double wire standard, and means carried by said standard to releasably hold the ends thereof in engagement with a shoe tree.

16. A boot tree attachment comprising a double wire standard, means for detachably fastening said standard to a shoe tree, a frictionally applied tiltable equalizer arm carried by said standard, and boot strap hooks engageable within a boot strap carried by said arm.

17. A boot tree attachment comprising a wire looped standard having means for detachably fastening it to a shoe tree, said wire looped standard having a portion thereof bent so as to form a handle and hanging means for said standard, means frictionally movable and clampingly mounted on said standard subjacent to said handle, and equalizing means including boot straps engaging hooks adapted to be clamped in manually equalized position carried by first said means.

18. A boot tree attachment comprising a wire looped to form a standard, there being a portion formed into a handle whereby to provide a grip and hanging means for said standard, a slidable clip mounted at one end of said standard, a slidable slip mounted at the other end, an equalizer arm carried by said slip, boot strap hooks carried by said equalizer arm, and means to adjust said equalizer arm longitudinally and transversely of said standard.

19. A boot tree attachment comprising a wire looped to form a standard, there being a portion formed into a handle whereby to provide a grip and hanging means for said standard, a slidable clip mounted at one end of said standard, a slidable slip mounted at the other end, an equalizer arm carried by said slip, boot strap hooks carried by said equalizer arm, means to adjustsaid equalizer arm longitudinally and transversely of said standard, said equalizer arm in conjunction with said handle being adapted to be manually grasped whereby to place equal or unequal tension in the boot straps of a boot, and means for maintaining such tension thus applied.

20. A boot tree attachment comprising a standard, a friction slip carried by and mov able along said standard, clamping means carried by said slip to adjustably secure the same to said standard, and a tiltable equalizing device mounted upon said slip and having parts at its extremities engageable with the pull straps of the upper of a boot.

21. A boot tree attachment comprising a standard, a friction slip carried by and movable along said standard, clamping means carried by said slip to adjustably secure the same to said standard, a tiltable equalizing shoe tree whereby it may be converted into a boot tree, and a tiltable equalizing device which when connected with the boot straps in a tilted position and then placed under I tension applies equal pressure to each of said straps.

' WILLIAM O. WEISKOTTEN. 

